Mothers of Missing Girls Attend Vigil and Walk

By Chris Earl, Reporter

Signs with messages of love and encouragement are left at Meyers Lake for two abducted Iowa cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey, 10, of Waterloo, and Elizabeth Collins, 8, of Evansdale, on Sunday, July 22, 2012, in Evansdale, Iowa. The girls were last seen 13 at Meyers Lake. (AP Photo/The Waterloo Courier, Dawn J. Sagert)

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By Max Walker

Story Created: Aug 10, 2012 at 9:36 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2012 at 12:32 PM CDT

EVANSDALE, Iowa - As the search for Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins reaches four weeks, more than 150 people came out on Friday Night to the lake that is so crucial in the case.

"We are just so grateful that so many people are with us," said Misty Cook-Morrissey, Lyric's mother, as she walked on the south edge of a bike path at Meyers Lake in Evansdale, near where the bikes of the missing girls were found on July 13.

Cook, 10, and Collins, now 9, were last seen in public on that Friday last month. One week later, FBI investigators came to the conclusion that the young girls were not in the lake and ruled their disappearance as an abduction.

Amid the posters, pink ribbons and signs of concern for the girls, Heather Collins, Elizabeth's mother, was the focal point for a vigil early Friday night. The people formed a wide circle in the park at Meyers Lake, holding a moment of silence before most of the family and friends broke off for a walk around the lake.

"I have asked the Lord not to put any negative thoughts in my head," said Collins. "The only thoughts are positive thoughts - the girls will return home. Our time is not necessarily God's time and we need to be patient."

Both Cook-Morrissey and Collins said the days of sparse information are draining.

"There are days where I am mentally drained if I've had a lot to go through, such as FBI questions and that kind of stuff," said Collins.

"It's just very sad," said Cook-Morrissey. "Every day is sad, crying out to God, please, please let this be the day they come home or that we find something."

In the hours since the July 13 disappearance, people from all over the region came out to scour this part of Black Hawk County to find the girls. By July 20, the search area expanded once the FBI declared the case an abduction and also added in hope in saying there was evidence that led them to believe the girls were still alive. Investigators have not made any arrests in connection to the disappearance.

Video


The Life & Love of Elizabeth Collins Celebration


Parents of Elizabeth Collins Speak to the Media on 12/13


Authorities Confident Remains Belong to Missing Girls


Authorities Announce Discovery of Two Bodies

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Photo Gallery


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Tip Line

Authorities are asking anyone who has any information on the case to call the tip line, at 319-232-6682 or send an e-mail to ourmissingiowagirls@dps.state.ia.us.

A reward of $150,000 has been established for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.



Timeline

Friday, July 13, 2012
  • 2:48PM Cousins Lyric Cook & Elizabeth Collins are reported missing      
  • 2:50PM Law enforcement begin searching the girls
  • 4PM Firefighters find the girls’ bike at Meyers Lake
  • 4:30PM Search of Meyers Lake begins
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Interactive Map

Poster
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Updates in the Case

Poster

Poster
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